When press freedom is at stake and there is obvious persecution of fellow workers in the media, there’s no rivalry or network wars that can stop journalists from supporting each other.
While most GMA Network artists and journalists remain silent about the current plight of ABS-CBN, several Kapuso journos braved the wave and threw their support for their colleagues at the embattled Kapamilya network.
On Twitter, GMA News reporters JP Soriano, Raffy Tima, and Mark Makalalad aired their support for Kapamilya journalists and workers after the NTC slapped the network with its second shutdown order.
In his Tweet, Soriano decried the government’s obvious harassment of the network and asked why can’t they just give the franchise and focus their efforts in solving the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Forgive me for using the Lord’s name in vain, pero for GOD’s sake, Just Give them the Franchise and ALLOW them to operate in accordance with the law. Wala ba kayong mga PUSO???!!! FOCUS on COVID 19 crisis! SOBRANG URGENT NA ITO!! (my personal thoughts only)”
https://twitter.com/jpsoriano/status/1277913888189644801
Raffy Tima, meanwhile, shared his support in a tweet to Tony Velasquez saying “Kakanturing, mahigpit na yakap. Kapit lang.”
Kakanturing, mahigpit na yakap. Kapit lang. https://t.co/goERFhW32N
— Raffy Tima (@raffytima) July 1, 2020
Mark Makalalad, who was previously intimidated by the police in one of his live reports, said his heart goes out to all his Kapamilya friends.
“My heart goes out to my Kapamilya friends. Kapit!”
My heart goes out to my Kapamilya friends. Kapit! https://t.co/aKpSzARljK
— Mark Makalalad (@MMakalalad) June 30, 2020
On Tuesday, June 30, the NTC issued an alias cease and desist order against ABS-CBN instructing them to stop broadcasting through digital transmission in Metro Manila using AMCARA Broadcasting Network’s frequency on Channel 43.
After the May 5 shutdown, ABS-CBN used its block time agreement with AMCARA and broadcasted their TV Plus channels Jeepney TV, Asianovela, Cinemo, Yey, and Teleradyo over Channel 43’s frequency.
Meanwhile aside from TV Plus channels, NTC also ordered SKY Cable to stop operating SKY Direct.
